12 things that attract bugs into your home and garden

Is your porch an insect magnet?

By
Carline Picard

Jun 26, 2017

Getty Images

Just like humans, bugs need three things to survive: Food, water and shelter. If you're facing persistent pests, don't just hope for the best. "Think like a bug," says board-certified entomologist John Bell of TruGreen. "Figure out what that little guy needs to eat, drink and live in."

Deterring unwelcome intruders comes down to an integrated approach. Cutting off as many of those resources as possible will make your home less attractive to creepy-crawlies in the first place, stopping potential infestations before they start.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Standing water

Getty Images

Eliminating stagnant H20, from things like pet bowls, buckets and birdbaths, fends off most insects. "Any standing water that is undisturbed for more than a week can be major breeding spots for mosquitoes," says Doug Webb, a manager of technical services at Terminix.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Clogged gutters

Getty Images

After emptying or flipping basins in your garden, don't forget to check the roof. Backed-up gutters provide mosquitoes with another easy watering hole.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Rubbish areas

Getty Images

The key to avoiding rubbish-loving pests is managing the odour. "Not only is it important to 'take out the bins' before they fill up, but also be sure the rubbish containers are clean and dry," Webb advises. Tidying up any overflow or spillage cuts done on those enticing aromas.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Wood piles and bushes

Getty Images

It may be convenient, but stacking firewood against the exterior of your home is a no-go. Both logs and plants can form a literal bridge for termites and critters looking to get inside, Bell says. Maintain at least a 6-inch gap between siding and foliage, and store nothing against the walls.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Dirty grills

Getty Images

The barbecue was fun while it lasted, but lingering food on the grates will draw bugs long after the party's over, according to Bell. Another common BBQ mistake: Emptying leftover drinks on the grass. The sugar attracts ants like none other, Webb warns.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Bird seed and kibble

Getty Images

Pet food feeds more than just pets. Keeping the bowl perpetually full may make your dog happy, but it's an easy meal for a lot of insects (as well as squirrels), Bell says. The same goes for bird seed, indoors and out.

While you can buy electronic bug killers that will zap nearby mosquitoes, the lamps don't always work as intended. "Many species of insects are attracted to bug light devices, but not all make it into the trap," Webb warns, "meaning pest populations in the area can actually increase." Install security lighting farther away from your home, or choose special bulbs that emit less-attractive rays.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Missing door sweeps

Getty Images

While ants can squeeze into the smallest spaces thanks to their exoskeletons, a few strategic fixes could make a big impact. "Where I see the biggest concern when I look at customers' house is door sweeps," Bell says. "They have the tendency to give out over time." Replacing the rubbery bottom of exterior entrances can stop pests in their tracks.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Cracks

Getty Images

Sealing every crevice around your home isn't realistic (especially if it's old), but applying clear caulk to an obvious entry point could shut down a major ant avenue, Bell advises. Steel wool can also fill mortar gaps in a pinch.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Overripe fruit

Getty Images

No, you don't have to store all of your food in the fridge. It's nearly impossible to prevent fruit flies from entering your home (they'll come down the chimney!) but produce past its prime will give off ethylene gas, a major bug magnet. Eat those bananas before they turn brown and you'll be fine, Bell says.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Cardboard boxes

Getty Images

Here's the motivation you need to finally clear out that clutter. Termites will feast on the glue that binds cardboard boxes, and cockroaches and silverfish love paper products too. Webb recommends storing necessary files in hard, plastic boxes with tight-fitting lids instead.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

High humidity

Getty Images

Don't forget to attack bugs' H20 supply as well. A silverfish infestation often signals that you have a water leak, or that your home needs a dehumidifier. "Rectifying those problems that are causing the pest to show up will work better than buying a can of insecticide and spraying them," Bell says.

Country Living, Part of the Hearst UK Fashion & Beauty Network
Country Living participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.